Bound towards Athnai



The fair wind blew the squadron of ships towards the port city of Athenai. The sky was then an iron-grey and the men sad they would be same in time at the harbour. It's white sails above were fluttering merrily in the wind, as if in harmony with the blue-green waves lapping the ship with the same joy. The colours of Rome it bore and legionaries and some marines gaurded the decks.
Yet, this was no mean and everyday retinue. This squadron would be bringing the new Quaestor of Achaea, Lucius Artorius Caesar. There he stood on the deck of his ship. His sea-blue eyes reflected the grand panorama, of sea and cliffs around and wooded plains beyond. The sights were passing beautiful and many on the decks sighed on seeing them. Yet the young Quaestor's face was grave and he seemed to be lost in thoughts. He was not worried about the fear of the German invasion: some Legate or another would stop those bloody barbarians surely, he thoughtly with much mirth. Yet, it was an inner conflict he was having, something which happened back in Rome, and he was not in a very fair mood. Although he secretely knew that it was all done for the best.
Soon the port of Athens came into view, with its many harbours and quays. Many ships were tethered there in sooth, and yet a lot more were in the open. The City was gorgeous. It seemed to Artorius that it was made of silver! So greatly were the marble walls of the buildings beyond the harbour glinting in the ever dwindling sunlight! As the ships neared the port, they could hear many horns blow out their cheerful notes from the towers of Athens by the sea. They have spotted them at last.....


At the Port - The Welcoming Ceremony



,"Welcome, most graceful Lord! I am Demophanes your humble servent,"said a man who seemed to be in some authority. His hairs were greying and he had long passed his prime years, yet still he was vitally fit. He was smartly dressed and could have passed as a Patrician of Rome. "The whole of Achaea had been in constant wait for you. I trust the journey was not unpleasent?"
,"Not at all Demophanes. The journey was most pleasent. And even if it had, the sights of your Greece would have soothed me much on the way, as it has."
,"Thanks you young master! You are too kind. Would you like to have some refreshments at my house? It is very near from here. Or would you like to go straighaway to the Palace?" he asked.
,"To the Palace first my good man", said Artorius with grave authority. As they made their way to the main streets, the Quaestor noticede that the whole of city-streets was decorated as if for a festival. Colourful ribbons hung from overhead while the walls of the white building was overflowing with the brightest flowers. Hundreds of people flocked the streets with more flowers in hands. And the Quaestor's retinue advanced, flowers were showers on him from all sides. At last they emerged from the narrow harbour streets into the larger main streets and then the City Square. And the sight there was breathtaking! Thousands of citizens were in wait for him and many more arriving with geeat speed evey moment! A shout of joy and welcome rose through the multitude, until the heavens were ehoeing from it. Many were carrying large banners welcoming the new Quasestor, (although in Greek so the meaning was lost upon the recipient!!!). The skies were echoeing from the welcoming cries of the thousands. And from somewhere, petals were still being showered on him.
Caesar was very, very pleased! Doubtless, he was already much in love with the Achaeans!
,"Your chariot awaits, this way my Lord if you please. A gift for you from the people of Achaea. Hephaestus has done it himself!" And indeed there it was: a magnificent vehicle. It was painted in and inlaid in gold and it's roof inlaid with precious stones from all around Greece. There were other chariots behind it, but they were plain ones for the noblemen following him. And complete with a gaurd of honor!
,"This is fit for the Gods, Demophanes!" cried an amazed Artorius.
,"Are you any less, noble Caesar?" Demosthenes said with a bow and a smile.
Adjusting his toga well, Caesar stepped onto the chariot. Many happy and eager faces he could see: young, old, men, women, and children from there he could see. Yet he noticed some were sad too, though they were hiding it badly.
Truely one cannot help feeling like a God if the Achaeans shower such gifts on one......
Soon the retinue resumed its way. As his chariot rolled on like the thunder in the skies, the multitude pressed forward to touch the chariot and shower gifts on him. Some children even were brave enough to run past and touch his hand as he allowed it. Caesar smiled at the people and waved at them as he went on. He was going to love every moment in Greece!..........